How to get rid of bed bugs is a common question thousands of Americans now face as the current bed bug epidemic continues to spread nationwide. We offer treatment and prevention products designed to effectively eliminate infestations. We also offer informative tools such as bed bugs pictures, a proven 4-step treatment protocol as well as detailed information about bed bugs and where they originated from. As you read our articles, watch our videos or review our treatment protocol, you'll collect the information needed to get rid of bed bugs or help prevent an infestation from occurring. Start learning how to get rid of bed bugs now
Mattress Encasements
Bed bugs and their eggs are most likely located in or on your mattress, box spring and pillows, which is why mattress encasements should be applied first. Our bed bug proof mattress encasements from Luna Mattress and SafeRest can be used effectively to prevent these blood suckers from entering or escaping. Mattress Encasements
Climbup™ Insect Interceptors
With your mattress set now covered and free from bed bugs, it's important to keep it that way by adding Climbup interceptors to each point of your bed contacting the floor. Our Climbup Interceptors prevent bed bugs from climbing into your mattress so it's nearly impossible for them to get to you. Climbup Insect Interceptors
PackTite and Bed Bug Steamer
In order to kill the bed bugs we recommend a steam and PackTite treatment. Simply steam along the edges of the room as well as along the seams of mattresses, chairs and sofas. The PackTite heater does a great job treating shoes, bags, books and other personal belongings. Bed Bug Steamers and PackTite
Bed Bug Powder And Spray
With the bed now cleaned, covered, elevated, intercepted and the room cleaned thoroughly, its time to apply the residual and contact spray along with the powder.
Use our J.T. Eaton, Phantom or Bedlam Spray along baseboard and inside cracks and crevices to kill bedbugs and their eggs. Sprays and Powders
Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) are back and are increasingly more prevalent in homes across America with new cases having increased 500% over the last few years. These blood sucking parasites, which grow up to ¼" in length and feed on warm blooded animals, have made their way to the U.S through the suitcases and clothing of travelers abroad. Even if you don't travel overseas, you may still bring them home after coming in contacted with an infested area or or by staying in a hotel, airplane, cruise ship or shelter that is infested. Bed bugs can be brought home from just about anywhere and have also been known to be picked up at restaurants, movie theaters and hospitals. Having gone from a bed time rhyme to a reality, it seems as if these pests are here to stay more information
Prevention Steps to Prevent and Infestation
Bed bugs are easily transmitted from location to location by attaching themselves to materials that move. This includes luggage, you, your clothing and boxes. There are, however, ways to decrease your chances of bringing one home.
Many of today's infestations originate from exposure to infested airplanes, hotels, cruise ships, apartments and work areas. Once infestations reach one dwelling or apartment they often migrate to others. It's easier to prevent than to get rid of bed bugs. Below are some suggestions on how to reduce your chances of becoming a host.
Keep your belongings enclosed while traveling
Our Hefty Big Bags prevent bed bugs from entering your clothing where they can hide until you return home. Simply place your belongings into the enclosure before you depart on a trip and only open the enclosure to remove items that you need. Our Hefty Big Bags protect your belongings while being transported on airplanes, cruise ships and while staying in hotels. To protect your luggage, simply spray our Luggage Spray along the zippers and into the pockets of your suitcases.
Encase your pillows, mattress and box spring
Applying certified mattress encasements to your bedding not only helps treat infestations, but also helps to prevent them from infesting your mattress in the first place. Bed bugs are great at nesting deep inside a mattress where they are very difficult to treat. A premium zippered encasement prevents even the smallest stage 1 nymph from ever penetrating your mattress making treatment of possible infestations much easier. Bed bug encasements are also waterproof and stain proof, which protects your mattresses factory warranty
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Bed Bug Symptoms
Many people with infestations are completely unaware that their home has these uninvited guests. This is because bed bugs are nocturnal nesting parasites in that they emerge 1-2 hours before dawn, feed for 5-15 minutes and then return back to their hiding place.
Due to the fact that bed bugs are great at hiding, many cases rely on investigating your bedroom for signs of these blood sucking insects. Most bed bugs reside within 10-15 feed of your bed, which makes that a good place to start looking. Below are some tell-tale indicators that you may have these unwanted pests.
Burning Bed Bug Bite Marks
Waking up in the morning with a row of red welts that burn and itch could be bed bugs. The burning and itching sensation can be reduced by running hot water over the infected area, using hydrocortisone or taking an antihistamine.
Blood Stains on Sheets and Furniture
Bed bugs often expel some of their blood meal, which is a great indicator that they may be present. This could be found anywhere on your sheets, on the walls, curtains, carpeting, etc.
Black Feces Droppings
Feces droppings are normally left behind by bed bugs, which look little black or brown large grains of salt. This can be found in places where they like to hide including by the seams of a mattress, between the box spring and mattress and even on your sheets.
Skins
Bed bugs shed or molt their waxy skins as they move through the five stages of development. This clear skin with a tint of brown can be easily seen by the naked eye. This is another great indicator that they may be present.
Visually Identifying Actual Bed Bugs
Knowing what bed bugs look like can help diagnose an infestation. Please see our picture to the left.
How Bed Bugs Re-Emerged After Being Mostly Eradicated For Over 50 Years
Bed bugs are nothing new dating back to biblical times and before. Prior to World War II, they were prevalent in many homes across America leading to the bed time rhyme "Don't Let The Bed Bugs Bite." Many of us have heard this rhyme hundreds of times without ever knowing exactly what they really were.
In 1874, a very effective insecticide called DDT was first synthesized and was believed at the time to be the miracle formula against many insects such as mosquitoes, roaches and fleas. DDT was marketed as safe for humans and quickly distributed to households where it was used loosely against anything that crawled read more
They can ingest up to 7 times their weight
Bed Bugs are able to live up to 18 months without a meal
A severe infestation can result in over 500 bites in a single night
They are immune to many of today's insecticides
Many people live with them without even knowing they're there.
Their eggs hatch within 2 weeks and only take 4 weeks to become fully grown
New York has the most reported bed bug cases this year
Reported cases have increased over 500% the past few years
Bed bug infestations are a traumatic experience for those attacked including increased stress, anxiety and insomnia.
Females can lay up to 500 eggs over their lifetime.
